Listen to Quarry’s Spotify Playlist
Music consultant, record producer and songwriter David Porter shares his song picks for the series.
“Quarry takes place during one of the most fertile time periods in American musical history. Music was much more than just sounds to dance to. Music was the medicine for the mind, soul and body. In 2 minutes and 40 seconds, music could take you from your most emotional, darkest hour to a happy place and keep you there, certainly for that dark day. Coming from the war, confronting the challenges, looking for the next day, music got you through. These songs reflect that purpose.” — David Porter
Cinemax: Why was 1972 Memphis an important hub for music creativity?
David Porter: Well, there was a desire to develop individuality from the music that was coming out of this area. At the time African-American music was taking its strength in a more meaningful way, and Motown was certainly the apex of that effort. In order to get credibility for our region, we had to come up with something that gave a little bit of a plus over what was already prevalent in the market place.
The music was coming out of the inspiration of the church, and the awareness that people were more easily and more comfortable relating to actual life experiences. Isaac [Hayes] and I were writing songs that were more motivational, based on our life experiences and the experiences of people who looked like us, but also written in such a fashion — with its realness and textures, imagery and energy — that would be palatable to anyone.
Cinemax: What is the musical tone of Quarry?
David Porter: Quarry deals with life experiences, attitudes and characters in such a way that there’s that same realness to it. And the messages through the music communicate that same kind of energy, in unique ways.
Cinemax: How did you go about choosing the songs for the playlist?
David Porter: There were so many songs that I felt could have been gangbuster for this series. The core barometer for me was the realness of the messages, and the imagery and dynamics of how the messages are delivered — musically and melodically — from the artist who sang them.
The song “Little Bluebird” [written by David Porter and Isaac Hayes, performed by Jeremy O’Bryan in Episode 1] speaks to the beauty of a woman in such a way that the mind sees the lady even when the words are about the bird. That was common with most great songs of this period: It takes your mind to a tranquil place, an energizing place, and in some cases, a needed place to keep on living. The songs on the playlist are 10 other examples of that.
Porter broke down why he chose each song for the Quarry playlist, explaining what the songs evoked for him, and their connection to the series.
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” — Diana Ross
David Porter: Optimism.
“Crosscut Saw” — Albert King
David Porter: There is an energy and a strength inside of this song that is very powerful. The crosscut saw makes it easier to get through whatever obstacle or situation you have to deal with. That speaks to the energy throughout the series; these characters find a way to get through whatever they have to get through in order to deal with circumstances.
“Let’s Stay Together” — Al Green
David Porter: You’ve got a black character and a white character who are bonded together because of their respect and commitment to each other. So even though the song talks about love in the sense of a relationship between a man and a woman, the ‘let’s stay together’ message speaks to the union of those two characters. I just feel like there’s a beautiful spirit inside of that song.
“Lean on Me” — Bill Withers
David Porter: This one speaks to people being comfortable with someone being there for them, if they need it.”
“I’ll Take You There” — The Staple Singers
David Porter: This is one of those songs that speaks to being able to rely on someone other than yourself. But it also speaks overall to the ultimate ending energy the whole series leads up to.
“I Can See Clearly Now” — Johnny Nash
David Porter: Regardless of the obstacles, there’s always a way out. This is a creative work that speaks to that concept. Mac is looking for a way out of the situation, and I think that people can relate to that, regardless of what their circumstance is.
“Love Train” — The O’Jays
David Porter: This one captures the essence of why you would go to war and fight and die for people you don’t even know. But in my mind, it’s also about a guy coming back from war and going on with his life.”
“Mr. Big Stuff” — Jean Knight
David Porter: This song speaks to the attitude of people who get caught up in themselves. Inside of the series there’s a lot of that kind of attitude — I think this was a fun way to express that.
“Just Found Me” — The Rance Allen Group
David Porter: This one speaks to coming back home to a new kind of reality for a person in an environment that’s taken them out of themselves. They’ve lost their guiding light. The real message of the song refers to anything that gives you the kind of balance that makes you think you’re going to be OK.
“I’ve Been Lonely So Long” — Frederick Knight
David Porter: This one speaks in terms of someone away from the person they care about very deeply. They can’t control the circumstance that would enable them to be there. But the way song message is delivered, there is some optimism as well.
Listen to the Quarry Spotify Playlist, updated weekly. Discover more videos on YouTube at The Music of Quarry and go behind-the-scenes with the Music of Memphis.
Watch the entire season of Quarry with your Cinemax subscription on MAX GO.
